What's believed to be a Roman or Saxon road has been unearthed on Victoria Square

The images were tweeted by Councillor Brigid Jones, who wrote: "Look what these guys dug up! The people building the Midland Metro extension have found a road in Victoria Square - suspected Roman or Saxon, I'm told."

She later revealed: "I've heard speculation of Roman, Saxon, Medieval and Victorian now!"

Others told of their excitement at the discovery.

Coun Paul Tilsley wrote: "What is truly amazing is that Victoria Square is probably the most excavated land in the city."

Richard Weston tweeted: "Medieval cobbles on Pinfold Street would be my guess, judging by the edging of the large stones."

And Brian Cape wrote: "Very exciting! Looking forward to the next update."

An archaeologist has been drafted in to examine the find but bosses at Midland Metro confirmed work to extend the line is continuing as planned.

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Th ancient road could have extended along modern day Hill Street, beyond New Street station and into Pershore Street which joins Pershore Road.

The extension, designed and built by the Midland Metro Alliance working on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority, is the next phase of works following the tram extension from St Chads to Grand Central - which opened for service in May 2016.

The ambitious plans will see the new line operate between Grand Central to Hagley Road in Edgbaston, improving transport links to and from west Birmingham.

Five new tram stops will connect passengers to Victoria Square, Centenary Square, Brindleyplace, Five Ways and Hagley Road.

But it isn't the first time a historic find has been unearthed during the works.

A Midland Metro Alliance spokesman said: "We can confirm that a piece of cobbled paving has been found in Victoria Square during excavation works for the Birmingham Westside Extension.

"An archaeologist has visited the site to survey the finding and we are currently awaiting results to determine when it dates back to.

"The excavation works are continuing as planned. This is not the first time that a historical find has been unearthed during the works.

"Victorian roller shutters were discovered at a shop in Pinfold Street earlier this year."

The roller shutters, which would have been used to provide security, were previously hidden by the shop front of hair salon Supercuts - which was once home to 19th century piano manufacturers Dale, Forty & Co.

The shutters have since been preserved and enclosed with a new sign.

Steve Grimes, the Midland Metro Alliance's project director for the Birmingham Westside Extension, said: "There is always potential for items of historical importance to be uncovered during construction and the roller shutters are fascinating find that provide an interesting glimpse into the history of Birmingham city centre.

"We started construction on the first phase of the extension last year and the shutters were uncovered during structural repairs to the building which, due to its age, needed to be carried out prior to the main works.

"Due to their heritage, the shutters will be staying in place but will be covered by a new fascia."

Strengthening works will form the next stage of construction in Pinfold Street, with works expected to be completed there in the summer.